Russia bans Japanese pork imports

Russia has banned pork imports from three Japanese districts due to swine flu, the country's animal and plant health watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor has reported.

"In light of the detection of the (A)H1N1 virus in Japan, Rosselkhoznadzor is banning imports to Russia of living pigs, pork meat and pork-based products (not subjected to heat treatment of at least 80 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes) from Osaka, Hyogo and Shiga," the federal service said in a statement.

The ban concerns products made and packaged after May 20.

Earlier this month Moscow banned Spanish pork imports after it confirmed its first case of the virus. Other countries such as the United States, Britain and Canada have been subjected to similar measures, drawing criticism from world organisations.